Rare Roller: 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302

Introduced in late 1968, the Boss 302 was the Ford Mustang’s version of the Chevy Camaro Z/28. Both cars were redesigned to compete in the SCCA Trans-Am racing circuit which limited engine displacement to 305 cubic inches at the time. Key to the Boss 302 was a special V8 engine that produced 290 hp, similar to that of the Z/28. This 1970 edition is a roller, i.e., its important engine and 4-speed manual transmission are missing.

Ford was obliged to produce an “x” number of Boss 302s for John Q. Public. In 1969, this amounted to 1,628 copies, which ballooned to 7,013 units in 1970. SCCA changes occurred in 1971 that allowed a 351 V8 to occupy the engine compartment instead. There was also a Boss 429, but that car ran around in different competitive circles (NASCAR). Substantially different than the 302 V8 found in “regular” Mustangs, the make-up of the Boss 302 was much different.

The engine and transmission were not the only things special to the Boss 302. The handling package was beefed up, front disc brakes were added, and more bracing was provided under the hood. Visible to the Boss 302 were front and rear spoilers, a rear window shade, and a hood that was blacked out. These turned out to be formidable performers, capable of 0 to 60 mph in under seven seconds and the quarter mile in just over 14.5 seconds.

This ’70 Boss 302 sports Calypso Coral paint, but it’s a respray that has some body filler behind it along with some rust in the undercarriage. While the drivetrain and hood shaker are MIA, the posi-traction rear-end is still intact. Aftermarket Cragar wheels have replaced the Magnum 500s that came with the Mustang when new. Located in Tyler, Minnesota, this rare and restorable Mustang is available here on eBay where the auction has reached $15,105 with no reserve to be tackled.